Osteogenesis of adipose-derived stem cells from patients with glucose metabolism disorders

Evaluation of the quality of life-enhancing effect of allogeneic feline adipose mesenchymal stem cells in cats with osteoarthritis: A pilot study

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative disease in older cats, and often leads to decreased quality of life (QOL). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used in novel therapies for inflammatory diseases. We aimed to evaluate quantitatively allogeneic adipose-derived MSC (ADSC) therapy in cats with naturally occurring OA, based on QOL assessment resources. To characterize the in vitro properties of ADSCs, we estimated ADSCs from four healthy cats with respect to morphology, differentiation potential, and immunomodulatory potential. Six cats with OA were administered a single intravenous injection of allogeneic ADSCs. Based on the feline musculoskeletal pain index (FMPI), the outcome measure was QOL. The cultured cells were adherent, exhibited a spindle shape without becoming flattened or large, and maintained doubling time until passage 5. After induction, the cells had osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic phenotypes. These cells expressed CD44 and CD90 and lacked expression of CD14 and CD45, had significantly suppressed the production of interferon -ɤ released from mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes (P < 0.05). The FMPI of all cats with OA significantly increased one month after ADSC therapy (P < 0.05). No adverse effects associated with ADSC administration were observed during follow-up in any of the cats. In conclusion, ADSC therapy with immunomodulatory potential could have beneficial effects on the QOL in cats with OA. Further research is necessary to carry out larger studies of the effectiveness of ADSC therapy.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in clinical trials: Insights from single-cell studies

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) offer tremendous potential for the treatment of various diseases and their healing properties have been explored in hundreds of clinical trials. These trails primarily focus on immunological and neurological disorders, as well as regenerative medicine. Adipose tissue is a rich source of mesenchymal stromal cells and methods to obtain and culture adipose-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs) have been well established. Promising results from pre-clinical testing of AD-MSCs activity prompted clinical trials that further led to the approval of AD-MSCs for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease and subcutaneous tissue defects. However, AD-MSC heterogeneity along with various manufacturing protocols or different strategies to boost their activity create the need for standardized quality control procedures and safety assessment of the intended cell product. High-resolution transcriptomic methods have been recently gaining attention, as they deliver insight into gene expression profiles of individual cells, helping to deconstruct cellular hierarchy and differentiation trajectories, and to understand cell-cell interactions within tissues. This article presents a comprehensive overview of completed clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of AD-MSC treatment, together with current single-cell studies of human AD-MSC. Furthermore, our work emphasizes the increasing significance of single-cell research in elucidating the mechanisms of cellular action and predicting their therapeutic effects.

Adipose stem cells-derived small extracellular vesicles transport Thrombospondin 1 cargo to promote insulin resistance in gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a highly prevalent disease and poses a significant risk to the health of pregnant women. Abdominal adipose tissue (AT) contributes to insulin resistance (IR) associated with GDM. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

METHODS

In this study, we developed a mouse model of GDM by subjecting mice to a high-fat diet. We collected adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) from the abdominal and inguinal regions and examined their role in inducing IR in normal tissues through the secretion of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). The sEVs derived from ADSCs isolated from GDM mice (ADSC/GDM) were found to inhibit cell viability and insulin sensitivity in AML12, a normal mouse liver cell line.

RESULTS

Through proteomic analysis, we identified high levels of the thrombospondin 1 (Thbs1) protein in the sEVs derived from ADSC/GDM. Subsequent overexpression of Thbs1 protein in AML12 cells demonstrated similar IR as observed with ADSC/GDM-derived sEVs. Mechanistically, the Thbs1 protein within the sEVs interacted with CD36 and transforming growth factor (Tgf) β receptors in AML12 cells, leading to the activation of Tgfβ/Smad2 signaling. Furthermore, the administration of LSKL, an antagonistic peptide targeting Thbs1, suppressed Thbs1 expression in ADSC/GDM-derived sEVs, thereby restoring insulin sensitivity in AML12 cells and GDM mice in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings shed light on the intercellular transmission mechanism through which ADSCs influence hepatic insulin sensitivity and underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting the Thbs1 protein within sEVs.

Semaglutide 6-months therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus restores adipose progenitors potential to develop metabolically active adipocytes

BACKGROUND

Nowadays type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) leads to population mortality growth. Today glucagon-like peptide type 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are one of the most promising glucose-lowered drugs with anorexigenic and cardioprotective effects. The present study aims to determine the effects of GLP-1 RA semaglutide 6-month therapy on T2DM patient metabolic parameters and adipose progenitor cell health.

METHODS

T2DM patients (N = 8) underwent clinical characterization and subcutaneous fat biopsy at start point and after semaglutide 6-month therapy. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) were isolated by enzymatic method. Cell proliferation analysis was performed by MTT and immunocytochemistry. White and beige adipogenesis was analyzed by BODIPY493/503 staining and confocal microscopy. Adipocyte's metabolic properties were estimated by 3H- and 14C-based metabolic assays. Thermogenesis analysis was performed by ERthermAC staining and confocal microscopy. Protein markers were assessed by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Semaglutide 6-month therapy demonstrated significant anorexigenic and glucose-lowering effects. However, insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR and M-index) was unchanged after therapy. Semaglutide 6-month therapy increased ADSC proliferation and white and beige adipogenesis. Moreover, lipid droplets fragmentation was observed in beige adipocytes. Both white and beige adipocytes after semaglutide therapy demonstrated 2-3 fold growth of glucose uptake without changes in insulin sensitivity. Newly formed white adipocytes demonstrated glucose utilization for active ATP synthesis, whereas beige adipocytes for canonical thermogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study has revealed that semaglutide 6-month therapy has not only systemic anorexigenic effects, but can markedly improve adipose tissue health. We have demonstrated critical restoration of ADSC renewal functions, which potentially can be involved in semaglutide based weight loss.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: Angiogenetic Potential and Utility in Tissue Engineering

Adipose tissue (AT) is a large and important energy storage organ as well as an endocrine organ with a critical role in many processes. Additionally, AT is an enormous and easily accessible source of multipotent cell types used in our day for all types of tissue regeneration. The ability of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to differentiate into other types of cells, such as endothelial cells (ECs), vascular smooth muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes, is used in tissue engineering in order to promote/stimulate the process of angiogenesis. Being a key for future successful clinical applications, functional vascular networks in engineered tissue are targeted by numerous in vivo and ex vivo studies. The article reviews the angiogenic potential of ADSCs and explores their capacity in the field of tissue engineering (TE).

Application of adipose-derived stem cells in ischemic heart disease: theory, potency, and advantage

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) represent an innovative candidate to treat ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to their abundance, renewable sources, minor invasiveness to obtain, and no ethical limitations. Compared with other mesenchymal stem cells, ASCs have demonstrated great advantages, especially in the commercialization of stem cell-based therapy. Mechanistically, ASCs exert a cardioprotective effect not only through differentiation into functional cells but also via robust paracrine of various bioactive factors that promote angiogenesis and immunomodulation. Exosomes from ASCs also play an indispensable role in this process. However, due to the distinct biological functions of ASCs from different origins or donors with varing health statuses (such as aging, diabetes, or atherosclerosis), the heterogeneity of ASCs deserves more attention. This prompts scientists to select optimal donors for clinical applications. In addition, to overcome the primary obstacle of poor retention and low survival after transplantation, a variety of studies have been dedicated to the engineering of ASCs with biomaterials. Besides, clinical trials have confirmed the safety and efficacy of ASCs therapy in the context of heart failure or myocardial infarction. This article reviews the theory, efficacy, and advantages of ASCs-based therapy, the factors affecting ASCs function, heterogeneity, engineering strategies and clinical application of ASCs.

Recent progress in bone-repair strategies in diabetic conditions

Bone regeneration following trauma, tumor resection, infection, or congenital disease is challenging. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia. It can result in complications affecting multiple systems including the musculoskeletal system. The increased number of diabetes-related fractures poses a great challenge to clinical specialties, particularly orthopedics and dentistry. Various pathological factors underlying DM may directly impair the process of bone regeneration, leading to delayed or even non-union of fractures. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which DM hampers bone regeneration, including immune abnormalities, inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, vascular system damage, insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) deficiency, hyperglycemia, and the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Based on published data, it also summarizes bone repair strategies in diabetic conditions, which include immune regulation, inhibition of inflammation, reduction of oxidative stress, promotion of angiogenesis, restoration of stem cell mobilization, and promotion of osteogenic differentiation, in addition to the challenges and future prospects of such approaches.

Injectable hyperbranched PEG crosslinked hyaluronan hydrogel microparticles containing mir-99a-3p modified subcutaneous ADSCs-derived exosomes was beneficial for long-term treatment of osteoarthritis

Exosomes (Exos) secreted by adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have shown potential in alleviating osteoarthritis (OA). Previous studies indicated that infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) derived stem cells (IPFSCs) may be more suitable for the treatment of OA than subcutaneous adipose tissue (ScAT) derived stem cells (ScASCs). However, it remains unclear which type of Exos offers superior therapeutic benefit for OA. This study first compared the differences between Exos derived from IPFP stem cells (ExosIPFP) and ScAT stem cells (ExosScAT) in OA treatment. Results suggested that ExosIPFP significantly inhibit the degradation of cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) than ExosScAT, following this, the differences in microRNA (miRNA) expression between the two types of Exos using small RNA sequencing were performed. Subsequently, miR-99 b-3p was chosen and over-expressed in ExosScAT (ExosScAT-99b-3p), both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated its efficacy in inhibiting the expression of ADAMTS4, promoting the repair of the ECM in OA. Finally, microfluidic technology was performed to fabricate a hyaluronan-based hydrogel microparticles (HMPs) for encapsulating Exos (HMPs@exos), the injectability, sustained release of Exos and long-term therapeutic effect on OA were validated. In summary, these results suggest miR-99 b-3p regulates the degradation of cartilage ECM by targeting ADAMTS4, the upregulation of miR-99 b-3p in ExosScAT would enable them to exhibit comparable or even superior effectiveness to ExosIPFP for OA treatment, making it a promising approach for OA treatment. Considering the abundant resources of ScAT and the limited availability of IPFP, ScAT harvested through liposuction could be genetically engineered to yield Exos for OA treatment. Furthermore, the encapsulation of Exos in HMPs provides an injectable sustained local drug release system, which could potentially enhance the efficacy of Exos and hold potential as future therapeutic strategies.

Inhibiting Phosphatidylcholine Remodeling in Adipose Tissue Increases Insulin Sensitivity

Cell membrane phosphatidylcholine (PC) composition is regulated by lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT); changes in membrane PC saturation are implicated in metabolic disorders. Here, we identified LPCAT3 as the major isoform of LPCAT in adipose tissue and created adipocyte-specific Lpcat3-knockout mice to study adipose tissue lipid metabolism. Transcriptome sequencing and plasma adipokine profiling were used to investigate how LPCAT3 regulates adipose tissue insulin signaling. LPCAT3 deficiency reduced polyunsaturated PCs in adipocyte plasma membranes, increasing insulin sensitivity. LPCAT3 deficiency influenced membrane lipid rafts, which activated insulin receptors and AKT in adipose tissue, and attenuated diet-induced insulin resistance. Conversely, higher LPCAT3 activity in adipose tissue from ob/ob, db/db, and high-fat diet-fed mice reduced insulin signaling. Adding polyunsaturated PCs to mature human or mouse adipocytes in vitro worsened insulin signaling. We suggest that targeting LPCAT3 in adipose tissue to manipulate membrane phospholipid saturation is a new strategy to treat insulin resistance.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Visceral mesenchymal stem cells from type 2 diabetes donors activate triglycerides synthesis in healthy adipocytes via metabolites exchange and cytokines secretion

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Development of visceral instead of subcutaneous adipose tissue is pathogenic and increases the risk of metabolic abnormalities. We hypothesize that visceral adipocytes and stromal cells are able to deteriorate other fat depots metabolism via secretory mechanisms.

METHODS

We study the regulatory role of visceral adipose-derived stem cells (vADSC) from donors with obesity and T2DM or normal glucose tolerance (NGT) on healthy subcutaneous ADSC (sADSC) in the Transwell system. Lipid droplets formation during adipogenesis was assessed by confocal microscopy. Cell metabolism was evaluated by 14C-glucose incorporation analysis and western blotting. vADSC secretome was assessed by Milliplex assay.

RESULTS

We showed that both NGT and T2DM vADSC had mesenchymal phenotype, but expression of CD29 was enhanced, whereas expressions of CD90, CD140b and IGF1R were suppressed in both NGT and T2DM vADSC. Co-differentiation with T2DM vADSC increased lipid droplet size and stimulated accumulation of fatty acids in adipocytes from healthy sADSC. In mature adipocytes T2DM vADSC stimulated triglyceride formation, whereas NGT vADSC activated oxidative metabolism. Secretome of NGT vADSC was pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic in comparison with T2DM vADSC.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study has demonstrated the critical role of secretory interactions between visceral and subcutaneous fat depots both in the level of progenitor and mature cells. Mechanisms of these interactions are related to direct exchange of metabolites and cytokines secretion.

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Basic Research and Clinical Applications

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AD-MSCs) have been extensively studied in recent years. Their attractiveness is due to the ease of obtaining clinical material (fat tissue, lipoaspirate) and the relatively large number of AD-MSCs present in adipose tissue. In addition, AD-MSCs possess a high regenerative potential and immunomodulatory activities. Therefore, AD-MSCs have great potential in stem cell-based therapies in wound healing as well as in orthopedic, cardiovascular, or autoimmune diseases. There are many ongoing clinical trials on AD-MSC and in many cases their effectiveness has been proven. In this article, we present current knowledge about AD-MSCs based on our experience and other authors. We also demonstrate the application of AD-MSCs in selected pre-clinical models and clinical studies. Adipose-derived stromal cells can also be the pillar of the next generation of stem cells that will be chemically or genetically modified. Despite much research on these cells, there are still important and interesting areas to explore.

N,N'-Diphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine Antioxidant's Potential Role in Enhancing the Pancreatic Antioxidant, Immunomodulatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Therapeutic Capabilities of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Type I Diabetic Rats

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered to be a promising therapeutic protocol for diabetes mellitus (DM) management. The latter is attributed to their differentiation potentiality to pancreatic β-cells, angiogenesis, and immune-modulatory capabilities by releasing various paracrine factors. Interestingly, antioxidant co-administration increased the MSCs' hypoglycemic and regenerative activities. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the therapeutic implication of type 1 DM after the co-administration of adipose tissue-derived-MSCs (AD-MSCs) and N,N'-d iphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (DPPD), compared to the single injection of either of them alone. In our four week long experiment, six rat groups were used as control, DPPD (250 mg/kg, i.p.), STZ-diabetic (D), D+DPPD, D+AD-MSCs (1 × 10⁶ cell/rat, i.p.), and D+AD-MSCs+DPPD groups. Within this context, a single injection of AD-MSCs or DPPD into diabetic rats showed significant pancreatic anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic capacities, superior to AD-MSCs injection. However, AD-MSCs and DPPD co-administration into diabetic rats manifested the highest hypoglycemic and pancreatic regenerative activities in managing diabetes compared to the single shot of AD-MSCs or DPPD. These results highlight the synergetic role of DPPD as an antioxidant in enhancing AD-MSCs' therapeutic applications.

Searching for the Optimal Donor for Allogenic Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: A Comprehensive Review

Adipose-derived stem cells comprise several clinically beneficial qualities that have been explored in basic research and have motivated several clinical studies with promising results. After being approved in the European Union, UK, Switzerland, Israel, and Japan, allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (darvadstrocel) have been recently granted a regenerative medicine advanced therapy (RMAT) designation by US FDA for complex perianal fistulas in adults with Crohn's disease. This huge scientific step is likely to impact the future spread of the indications of allogeneic adipose-derived stem cell applications. The current knowledge on adipose stem cell harvest describes quantitative and qualitative differences that could be influenced by different donor conditions and donor sites. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the current knowledge on the topic and propose donor profiles that could provide the optimal initial quality of this living drug, as a starting point for further applications and studies in different pathological conditions.

Antidiabetic Effect of Tamarindus indica and Momordica charantia and Downregulation of TET-1 Gene Expression by Saroglitazar in Glucose Feed Adipocytes and Their Involvement in the Type 2 Diabetes-Associated Inflammation In Vitro

To date, there is no satisfactory and effective therapy available to cure type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This present work is focused on plant extracts and the effect of saroglitazar and TET genes on oxidative stress and inflammation in vitro adipocytes. Aqueous extracts of Tamarindus indica and Momordica charantia seed have shown potent antidiabetic activity that decreases glucose levels in diabetic adipocytes. After seven and fourteen days, the sugar level in the blood was significantly reduced when plant extracts were supplemented. Lipid profiles including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TGL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) showed a highly significant change as expected in adipocytes treated with glucose compared with controlled adipocytes (P < 0.001). Gene expression of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD1, SOD2), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) are changed twice, thrice, and quadruplet, respectively. The level of interleukin-1 (IL1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was restored but the interleukin-6 (IL6) and ten-eleven-translocation-1 (TET1) were completely knocked down by the use of saroglitazar. In comparison with the diabetic group, this supplementation significantly increased glycogen content and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In the extract supplemented group, glucose-6-phosphatase, glucose-oxidizing enzyme, and glucose-phosphorylating enzyme activities were significantly reduced. After seven days of extract supplementation, these parameters were not resettled to a controlled level; however, after 14 days of supplementation, all parameters were restored to the control level. In addition to altering gene expression, TET enzymes may contribute to altered adiposity and its metabolic consequences. The purpose of this study is to examine new ideas and approaches for treating obesity, T2DM, and other associated metabolic disorders.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Facilitates Shift of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Ex Vivo Differentiation toward Osteogenesis among Patients with Obesity

Objective: Sedentary behavior with overnutrition provokes the development of obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The main progenitor cells of adipose tissue are adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) which can change differentiation, metabolic, and secretory phenotypes under obesity conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ADSC osteogenesis activity among patients with obesity in normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and T2DM conditions. Methods: In the study, ADSCs from donors with obesity were used. After clinical characterization, all patients underwent bariatric surgery and ADSCs were isolated from subcutaneous fat biopsies. ADSCs were subjected to osteogenic differentiation, stained with Alizarin Red S, and harvested for real-time PCR and Western blotting. Cell senescence was evaluated with a β-galactosidase-activity-based assay. Results: Our results demonstrated the significantly increased calcification of ADSC on day 28 of osteogenesis in the T2DM group. These data were confirmed by the statistically significant enhancement of RUNX2 gene expression, which is a master regulator of osteogenesis. Protein expression analysis showed the increased expression of syndecan 1 and collagen I before and during osteogenesis, respectively. Moreover, T2DM ADSCs demonstrated an increased level of cellular senescence. Conclusion: We suggest that T2DM-associated cellular senescence can cause ADSC differentiation to shift toward osteogenesis, the impaired formation of new fat depots in adipose tissue, and the development of insulin resistance. The balance between ADSC adipo- and osteogenesis commitment is crucial for the determination of the metabolic fate of patients and their adipose tissue.

Knockdown of PDX1 enhances the osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs partly via activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Background

Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic bone disease manifested as low bone mass, destruction of bone microstructure, increased bone fragility and fracture risk. The purpose of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of PDX1 for osteogenic differentiation of adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs).

Methods

GSE37329 dataset was retrieved from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and performed bioinformatic analyses. ADSCs were incubated with normal medium, osteogenic induction medium (OIM) and OIM+si-PDX1. Then, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and Alizarin Red Staining (ARS) were performed to assess the role of PDX1 for osteogenesis of ADSCs. PI3K inhibitor, LY294002 was then added to further explore the mechanism of PDX1 for osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs. Western blot assay was used to assess the osteogenic-related markers. Graphpad software was used to perform statistically analysis.

Results

A total of 285 DEGs were obtained from analysis of the dataset GSE37329, of which 145 were upregulated and 140 were downregulated genes. These differentially expressed genes mainly enriched in cell differentiation and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Moreover, PDX1 was decreased in osteogenic induced ADSCs. Knockdown of PDX1 significantly increased osteogenic differentiation capacity and p-PI3K and p-Akt protein levels. Administration with LY294002 could partially reversed the promotion effects of si-PDX1.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knockdown of PDX1 promotes osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Chitosan for biomedical applications, promising antidiabetic drug delivery system, and new diabetes mellitus treatment based on stem cell

Since chitosan's excellent pharmacokinetic and chemical properties, it is an attractive and promising carbohydrate biopolymer in biomedical applications. Chitosan's beneficial function in the defense and propagation of pancreatic β cells, reducing hyperglycemia, and avoiding diabetes mellitus associated with impaired lipid metabolism has been demonstrated in several studies. Additionally, chitosan has also been used in various nanocarriers to deliver various antidiabetic drugs to reduce glucose levels. Herein, the first to provide the currently available potential benefits of chitosan in diabetes mellitus treatment focuses on chitosan-based nanocarriers for oral administration of various antidiabetic drugs nasal and subcutaneous passages. Moreover, chitosan is used to activate and deliver stem cells and differentiate them into cells similar to pancreatic beta cells as a new type of treatment for type one diabetes mellitus. The results of this review will be helpful in the development of promising treatments and better control of diabetes mellitus.

Paracrine activity of adipose derived stem cells on limbal epithelial stem cells

Limbal stem cells deficiency (LSCD) is an eye disease caused by the loss of stem cells in the corneal limbus as a succession of an injury due physical, biological, or chemical agents. Current therapies of LSCD are focused on the transplantation of donor corneas or tissue equivalents produced from autologous limbal stem cells. Every year there are waiting millions of patients for the cornea transplantation all over the world and the list is growing due to the relatively low number of cornea donors. On the other hand, the transplantation of tissue or cells into the recipient’s body is associated with the higher risk of possible side effects. The possibility of the application of an indirect treatment using the properties of the paracrine activity of stem cells, would be beneficial for the patients with transplant failures. This study was to evaluate the paracrine effect of mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ADSC) on the viability of limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC). The paracrine effect was assessed by treating LESC with conditioned medium collected from ADSC culture. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and proliferation were evaluated using in vitro assays in standard conditions and induced inflammation. After the exposure to the examined conditions, the expression of genes related to pro- and anti- inflammatory factors was evaluated and compared to the secretion of selected cytokines by ELISA test. Moreover, the changes in LESC phenotype were assessed using of phenotype microarrays. Our findings suggest that paracrine activity of ADSC on LESC promotes its proliferation and has a potential role in mitigation of the adverse impact of inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide.

Circadian rhythms affect bone reconstruction by regulating bone energy metabolism

Metabolism is one of the most complex cellular biochemical reactions, providing energy and substances for basic activities such as cell growth and proliferation. Early studies have shown that glucose is an important nutrient in osteoblasts. In addition, amino acid metabolism and fat metabolism also play important roles in bone reconstruction. Mammalian circadian clocks regulate the circadian cycles of various physiological functions. In vertebrates, circadian rhythms are mediated by a set of central clock genes: muscle and brain ARNT like-1 (Bmal1), muscle and brain ARNT like-2 (Bmal2), circadian rhythmic motion output cycle stagnates (Clock), cryptochrome 1 (Cry1), cryptochrome2 (Cry2), period 1 (Per1), period 2 (Per2), period 3 (Per3) and neuronal PAS domain protein 2 (Npas2). Negative feedback loops, controlled at both the transcriptional and posttranslational levels, adjust these clock genes in a diurnal manner. According to the results of studies on circadian transcriptomic studies in several tissues, most rhythmic genes are expressed in a tissue-specific manner and are affected by tissue-specific circadian rhythms. The circadian rhythm regulates several activities, including energy metabolism, feeding time, sleeping, and endocrine and immune functions. It has been reported that the circadian rhythms of mammals are closely related to bone metabolism. In this review, we discuss the regulation of the circadian rhythm/circadian clock gene in osteoblasts/osteoclasts and the energy metabolism of bone, and the relationship between circadian rhythm, bone remodeling, and energy metabolism. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of regulating circadian rhythms or changing energy metabolism on bone development/bone regeneration.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells from Obese Donors Polarize Macrophages and Microglia toward a Pro-Inflammatory Phenotype

Macrophages and microglia represent the primary phagocytes and first line of defense in the peripheral and central immune systems. They activate and polarize into a spectrum of pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes in response to various stimuli. This activation is tightly regulated to balance the appropriate immune response with tissue repair and homeostasis. Disruption of this balance results in inflammatory disease states and tissue damage. Adipose stem cells (ASCs) have great therapeutic potential because of the potent immunomodulatory capabilities which induce the polarization of microglia and macrophages to the anti-inflammatory, M2, phenotype. In this study, we examined the effects of donor heterogeneity on ASC function. Specifically, we investigated the impact of donor obesity on ASC stemness and immunomodulatory abilities. Our findings revealed that ASCs from obese donors (ObASCs) exhibited reduced stem cell characteristics when compared to ASCs from lean donors (LnASCs). We also found that ObASCs promote a pro-inflammatory phenotype in murine macrophage and microglial cells, as indicated by the upregulated expression of pro-inflammatory genes, increased nitric oxide pathway activity, and impaired phagocytosis and migration. These findings highlight the importance of considering individual donor characteristics such as obesity when selecting donors and cells for use in ASC therapeutic applications and regenerative medicine.